If rumours are to be believed, Newcastle are prepared to let Chancel Mbemba go to West Ham in exchange for Diafra Sakho. Hammers boss David Moyes has played three in defence (mostly Winston Reid, Angelo Ogbonna and Aaron Cresswell) since replacing Slaven Bilic, and feels another defender would strengthen his squad, with veteran James Collins and youngster Declan Rice the only other options available.

The versatile Mbemba, who can play in various positions across defence, also has age on his side- he’s only 23. While Newcastle rate him as one of their better players, the Magpies do need a striker and Diafra Sakho is said to desperately want a move away from the London Stadium. Sakho has been linked with Palace, but it now seems that St.James Park might also be a potential destination for the Senegalese international

It would perhaps seem that West Ham get more value from the deal, given the two players’ form over the last few seasons and their respective ages. The fact that Rafa Benitez has to do the deal perhaps indicates that Mike Ashley isn’t quite ready to splurge some cash on reinforcements in the current winter window. There has also been talk of Jonjo Shelvey moving to the Hammers.